Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman NguyenThi Kim Ngan has expressed her delight at the consensus reached on the upgradeof Vietnam-Netherlands ties to the comprehensive partnership level which, shesaid, will open up new cooperation opportunities for both sides.

During a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte inHanoi on April 9, Ngan congratulated the two PMs on their successful talks.

She thanked the Netherlands for supporting Vietnam’s run asnon-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021tenure.

Informing the host about the outcomes of his talks with PMNguyen Xuan Phuc, Rutte said both countries have delta regions and export farmproduce, so they could learn from each other’s experience.

Vietnam and the Netherlands formed a strategic partnershipon climate change adaptation and water management, while Vietnam’s exports tothe European country rose seven-fold in only five years.

Discussing issues regarding the European Union-Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement (EVFTA), NA Chairwoman Ngan said the Vietnamese legislature isin the process of refining legal regulations in line with internationalcommitments and the FTAs Vietnam has signed and joined.

Rutte said the Netherlands supports the early signing andratification of the EVFTA, which is beneficial to not only Vietnam but allparties concerned, especially the Netherlands.

As the Netherlands is the largest EU investor and the secondlargest EU trade partner of Vietnam, the country is seeking measures to pushforward the EVFTA signing and ratification, he said. –VNA